Food Academy
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Nu Infusions
In 2018 my best friend Fionn and I discovered guayusa - a caffeinated leaf from the Amazon that provides sustained energy and mental clarity. From the very first cup, we noticed its unique effects: an energizing lift without the jitters or crash of traditional caffeine sources. As we dug deeper, we also learned about how the guayusa industry could play a crucial role in supporting sustainable agriculture.
Unlike monoculture crops that replace natural ecosystems, guayusa is grown as part of the rainforest, preserving biodiversity and supporting local communities. We were so struck by this product and its story that we decided to launch a business to spread it further a field!
We initially launched as a tea business, but we always envisioned a ready-to-drink format as the best way to showcase guayusa’s benefits. We just needed the perfect vessel to carry it! In 2021, we were lucky to meet Gerry, the founder of King of Kefir. Over ten years, he had perfected a recipe for gut-friendly, low-calorie sodas made from water kefir. By combining guayusa with his recipe, we created something entirely new— an energising water kefir that adds something refreshing to both the gut health and energy drink category. Today, all our cans are crafted in small batches at Gerry’s dedicated water kefir brewery in Ardee, Co. Louth.
Our recent visit to Ecuador showed us how important guayusa is to the indigenous cultures there, and how it supports them in earning fair wages and demonstrating their more sustainable forms of rainforest agriculture, which they’ve practiced for centuries. We want to help grow this industry, and bring the unique benefits of guayusa and water kefir to the Irish consumer.
The SuperValu Food Academy has been instrumental in this mission, guiding us through the journey of bringing our product from concept to supermarket shelves. The R&D process took longer than we expected, but the Food Academy team encouraged us every step of the way. Now that our product is finally on shelves, we’re excited to spread the good energy in the months and years to come!
